The art of children’s storybooks and vinyl records, 1960s -1980s

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Agathe Tran Quang My and Biosca art for Anne Sylvestre – “Fabulettes” 1969.

The storybook and vinyl record was an opportunity for children to fully immerse themselves in their favourite fairy tale, nursery ryhme, song or film. As Disney proclaimed: children can “see the pictures” “hear the record” and “read the book”. Disney Records and its Buena Vista label, along with Peter Pan Records and its derivative Power Records, were among the first companies to explore this multi-media approach to entertaining children by releasing storybooks with a vinyl record. Later would come cassettes – adding a new dimension of ‘mobility’ to the experience, when children could listen on a Walkman and be free to move from room to room or even go outside.

In today’s post we take a look at some French storybooks and vinyl records aimed at the younger children’s market, featuring fairy tales, nursery rhymes and traditional songs. Especially, we take the opportunity to look at some of the artwork involved, and here we see wonderful illustrations from the likes of Biosca, Denise Chabot, Agathe Tran Quang My, Annette Moch and JP Huster who each contributed delightful art for many record sleeves and booklets aimed at children throughout 1960s and 1980s France.

The art of Denise Chabot from “Rondes Enfantines” storybook and record 

The art of Annette Moch and JP Huster – “Fabulettes” 1964.

Anne Silvestre. “FABULETTES”. Dessins par Annette Moch and JP Huster. 1964.

The art of Biosca – “Fabulettes en Couleurs” and “L’école”

Anne Sylvestre “FABULETTES EN COULEURS”. Dessins par Biosca. 1983.

Anne Sylvestre “FABULETTES EN COULEURS”. Dessins par Biosca. 1983.

Anne Silvestre “L’ECOLE” Dessins par Biosca.

Anne Silvestre “L’ECOLE”. Dessins par Biosca.

The art of Agathe Tran Quang My and Biosca – “Fabulettes” 1969

Agathe Tran Quang My and Biosca art for Anne Sylvestre – “Fabulettes” 1969.

Agathe Tran Quang My and Biosca art for Anne Sylvestre – “Fabulettes” 1969.

Agathe Tran Quang My and Biosca art for Anne Sylvestre – “Fabulettes” 1969.

Agathe Tran Quang My and Biosca art for Anne Sylvestre – “Fabulettes” 1969.

Walt Disney storybooks and records

Walt Disney Jungle Book. Storybook and record. 1983. France.

Waly Disney The Fox and the Hound. Storybook and record. 1983.

Walt Disney The Three Little Pigs. Storybook and record. 1968. France.

Little Red Ridng Hood

Little Red Riding Hood story and record with colouring pages. Le Petit Chaperon Rouge. Disque à Colorier. Artist and date unknown.

Thank you for “seeing, hearing and reading” with us 🙂

17 thoughts on “The art of children’s storybooks and vinyl records, 1960s -1980s”

  2. That was a fascinating and fanciful read! Yet, another thing I’d never heard about. I wonder if there was an American version, available in Canada?
    The illustrations are wonderful. Love this! 😀 x

    ( Post is up: https: //artgowns.com/2019/08/26/art-gowns-does-schiaparelli-on-barbie/ )

    Liked by 2 people

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  3. Great art illustrations of old children’s story books and vinyl records.

    I wish I grew up in that time and having collected such incredible children’s story books. Sadly, I only grew up reading ‘Goosebumps’, ‘Marvel comics’, and 90’s cartoon shows. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Charliezero. Goosebumps, Marvel comics and 90s cartoon shows are excellent things to have grown up with 🙂 but yes… there is something special about those old illustrations from the pre-digital age. Same with the toy ads – some of the illustrated ones are things of absolute beauty compared to the later photographed ads, though I am partial to a good photo diorama too.

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      • Excellent you still have your old Perfection game 🙂 I spent many a time with family and friends playing that as a kid.
        I still have my original Mastermind game, Stratego, and a dominoes set all from my childhood, but the other good games we had like Hangman, Battleship, Operation, Connect 4, Stay Alive, Mouse Trap, Buckaroo etc are gone.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Great games I agree. I lost mine over the years by travelling and moving. Lucky I hung onto the few childhood toys, games and books I still have. Do you know the game ‘Rebound’ ? I had that but gave it away the last time I moved because it was too big to pack. Shame as I loved that game.

        Liked by 1 person

      • I’ve never heard of the game ‘Rebound’. I only know of certain games I grew up familiar with. 🙂

        That sucks you lost your games over the years. It happens to quite a few people when it comes to their most treasured memories.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Hi TVTA, I owned the “Three Little Pigs” book and record, but would have loved to own the “Jungle Book” edition (you may recall I mentioned I had an album of Disney hits from the classic animations and it had “The Bear Necessities” and “I Wanna Be Like You” – two great songs). Another great and colourful post, thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

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      • Hi again, there’s just a sort of quality about the artwork and packaging from the old days, whereas nowadays most stuff is considered “throw away”. I am still pondering where I have seen the name Agathe Tran Quang My before, I think it might have been in some Disney book and tape sets I did have.

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